Knotter device



Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,182

B. E. BYRD KNOTTER DEVICE Filed May'l, .1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 9 1926.

B. E. BYRD KNOTTER DEVICE Filed May 15, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 49v, 19126.4

. g 1,572,182 PATENT oFFIcef BRITTON E. BYRD, OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO MILLA :DEVICES` COM- PANY, 0F DURHAM,` NORTH CAROLINA.,` CORPORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA.

KNOTTER DIEHTIOIEZ Application led May 13, 1924. Serial No. 712,922.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRITToN E. BYRD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Durham, in the county of Durham 3and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knotter Devices, of which the following is Va specification.

This invention relates to a 4knot-tying method and mechanism, and with4 respect to its more specific feature, to a method and and mechanism for tying weavers knots.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, light-.weight and easily operated device of the character specified, capable of connecting two ystrands lyingq alongside of each other in'spacedrelation, by means of a weavers knot.

In the usual construction of devices of this character, the strands to be connected must be arranged in acerta-in predetermined manner, that is with the strands crossed on each side of thev tying bill. The placing of the strands in this predetermined position is an operation requiring time-and care, and they must be so placedbefore the bill can form the knot.

A feature of the pre-sent invention is the provision of means, operating in sequence with the bill, and controlled by the same op. erating mechanism, for moving a' portion Aof one of the strands across the other strand,

thereby to provide two points of crossing,

spaced apart from each other and on opposite sides of the bill. That isthe strands are crossed ahead of the bill as it' rotates in the operation of forming the knot.-

Another feature of the inventionis the' provision of a stripper for straining the knot and for stripping it from the bill, operated in sequence With-the bill and controlled by the same operating mechanism, and carrying a cutting blade for severing one i Strauch-the other being cut by the bill, and

` knotter.

left.

so arranged with .respezt to the direction of movement of the blade. that the cutting edge will engage the strand with a shearing tent,-

sald edge being adjustable,

In the drawlngs: Fig. .-l is Fig. 2 is an end view looking fromlthe Fig. 3 is upside view with .the near plate removed, showing the parts' in one position'.A

a side view of the improved' .Figs and 5 are similar views with the 4 The screw 13 connects to thev fra-me a handle member 14 which is adapted to be grasped i in the palm ofthe hand, and a strap 15 connects the ends of the handlelmember, for engaging the back of the hand.`

One of the spacing membersis a substan- 17, whichextend between the plates 10 and 1-1, and the arms 16 havejlugs'18'which engage slots'in the plates -10 and 11, to hold the bracket in place. ported by the arms plates 10 and 11 opposite thebracket, the spacing plate beingheldl in place by p tially U-shapedbracket having arms 16 and j A tying billv is sup-f' of the bracket, and a spacing plate 19 which is arranged between -the lugsv20, vwhich engage openings in thecplates 10 and. 11. y t l The tying bill comprises a shaft 21 journalled in the arm 17 of the bracket, and having between the arm y17 and the plate 19 a helical portion 22. .The rear' end of the shaft is pointed, as'shown4 in Figs. 3.and 4;,-

and engages within a recess in a4 screw 23, adjustably heldin the plate-,12 by means of the lock nut 24. The .tying bill comprises a clamping bill 25, a cutting-bill spring 26 and i an intermediate lclamping and shearing jaw i 27. the Saidfjaw being 'pivoted'between the bill and4 spring, on fa pivot indicated at 28.

The tying` bill passes through a circular opening inthe arm 16 ofthey bracket, which 'is eccentric to the billand the jaw 2,7 has a wing portion 29 in the opening, which by its engagement with the opening during the' rotation of the bill, operates the shearing aandclamping jaw.

:Mechanism is provided at each side ofthe isd the threads to lbev connected alongside each `other in spaced relation.' Each ofthe bill for'supportng a` pair of strands, that 11i) plates 1 0 and 11 is offset outwardly vatvthe end adjacent tothe bill to form a thread guide and holdingmeans, the -said' means 34 and-35. and thememberfis notched as i` shown at 36`to forma seatnormallyregistering with the seat 33-of the plate lLfTh'e y member 34 has afnotch` 37jfor engaging the g strand seated in the adjacent seat '3l-,fand- 'being indicated generally at'A and Bgjrespcctively. Referring-[to Figpl, ityvill be seen that the plate 10 lis deeply notched in the offset portion to `fibrin a holder seat-.3U

for one st rand,the bottomof'gthe notch"be ing rounded, and just-above 'the' bottom vof' the `notch tluelyholder has 'an pwardly -ex-X tending lug 31a, forming," betweenj; it and ing seat, 32 and 33, respectively. I 1 'A rocking member is p`voted to' eachofthe plates` 10 and' 11,7onithe`'inner faceofthe offset portion 10, the membersv indioatedat the members 34' a nd 3.5 cooperate when they are rocked with other mechanisnilto belater described, to movethatlportinof the outermost strand between the plateswlsandfll above the sameA portionof theinn'eiv strand,

therebv to producen" crossing'of the strands A thumb piece adapted for engagement bythe t lo thumb of the user when the hmdleimembe" -on each sideoff-the tyintg' bill. c, r

' The )rocking members are'controlle'd `by y1 the operation of-the tying bill, andthe 'said bill is operated 'by-'means' -of 'a lever 38,

which is pivotedon the screw L3 before mentioned. The lower end ofthe lever-forms a t is `gripped in the left hand, and the upper" end of the lever is forkedthe arms of the fork' engaging opposite sides-,of the helical portion fof the tying ll," and;grotatinggthe. bill when the-lever is swung'.V

A cam shaft 39is arranged plates at the upperedges thereof-,and this shaft is provided at Yeachend;- ontsidefof the plates wand 1,1,""with` ;radial arfns 4Q. and 41, respectively.` V '@Ihelovver ends of-tl1 e ref -spective arms are 'connectedbylinksQjand and bodies' th ereofijjThe arrangement issuch that when the shaft fis'- scil1ated. the radial .arms being4 ri'gitlfi therewith, --"the rocking members will be swiing to 'rnovethe strand" the strand held inthe-seats fand 32,'t'hl'1s -Y to prodnce crossingsfof the strandsvahead A of the, tying bi-llgras 'it-,isrotated anti-clockwise.

they v are rocked, both strandsare lightly "clamped*between the links and the rocking Qmember's' to "properly tension the strands between the y .1g-trama t in the normal position ofthe links 'are at the -inner sidesof the seats() and- 32 and in. position tov engage the innermoststrand during the.- longitudinal movement of the links to-rockthe members 34 and35. Thus the ing members in the crossing of the strands, and since'the parts are so arranged that the vlingers 42?1 rand 43a cooperate with the rockfingers move past the rocking members as dining the operation of theI bill. y The shaft;39' is oscillated by Vmeansof the rcam 44 secured to the shaft adjacent to the `v plat-e 10. yThe cam has a cam slot 45-46," the portion `46 being-concentric With the :f v'screw' 13, While the portion 45 is eccentric to the said screw- .The adj acentarmof the fork of the lev er 38 has a'friction roller 37 which: moves inthe slot, and the slot is so shaped that-atfthe beginning of the movement of thelever, the shaft 39 will be oscillatedy to'rockl the rocking` members for 'enoughto position v the outer strand above andinside of the inner strand, after which fthe Aroller will'ride in the portion 46 of the slot, vvithout :changing the position of the shaft 39.. `The other arm of the. fork .is also ,r p rovidedvvith a friction roller 48 which en- 9" gages :team -arm 49 journalled on shaft 39,

and' the cam armis so shaped that it will be unaffected bythe movement of the lever 33 -nntil the tying bill has been rotated through approximately 360o. lThen the arm willbe quickly swung to operate the shearnfr and 'stripping mechanism tobe described.

he saidvm'echanism is supported by an` arml 'extending forwardlyfrom the shaft 39 and rigid 'with the cam plate 49, before mentioned. 'At its forward end the arm is bent sharply downward as shownin Figs. 3 'Fand 4*, to lienorm'allyjust in front of the arm 16 of theU-shaped bracket. at the right of the tyingbilhand in a position 4such that :the Ibillmay 'rotate freely Without interference from the said arm.`

cutting blade 51 is connected to the de- A: pendingportion of the arm by a pivot`53 at 1 @the 'top 4of the blade` and a screw and sloty 43, ,with the a'dj acent" rocking member s," th e 'v links passing through slots inlthe' fcinlie'c. tions between theoifset portions ofthe plates connection 52' at the loWerend of the blade.' The slot extends transversely lof the blade` "and when the-screw is. loosened, the angle of arm secured to fthe -fa-ce of the arm 50 re-V mote fromthebladmand .the pivot 53 and screw, and slot connection52, aboven mentioned,` are-ntilized to connect the stirriip .to

@19m-"Q 50." v1The stirrnp is normally belowthe tying bill with the body thereof `lying vtransversely ofthe bill, and with the free armjof thestirrup on .tlie opposite side of the bill'lfrom the"blade. In the present in stance the blade is at the right of the bill. and the. free arm of the stirrup is at the left. `Wlienfthe blade has completed the turning `movement'"of 360o, the -arm 50 swings upwardly, fthe blade shears the strand sat the right ofthe bill, and the free arm of thefstirrupl engages the same strand at i Y *thleft Of .thefblh and strips the knot from f thej bill, "acting atthe same time to strain I the kno tion'pof `l*`igs. `1Qandf.L

spring is .connected tov the plate 11 andthe .it is? preferably lieldinthe left the handle member grasped by/t/ l A ,sprintfet).isk .Coile'df about the screw 13 normally holding{tlieflever 38 in the posi- ()ne end" of the Other end is engaged with the lever.

In the operation ofthe improved knotter' hand with y ie fingers, 'and with the .thumb-on the thumb piece of `tlielev er"` 38.` The strands s and s2 are laid acrossthe guides Landholders A and B,with one strand, a2; in the present instance, in thc y @seatsBQ-B'Zand,with the strand s in the v seats Ell-p33*. Thelever. 38 is then swung by the fork ofitlielever, 38. may move nfor a means' of: "the thumbpiece. Referring Figs. 3to. 5, inclusive,it will be noticed that certainfdistance from rest position without 44 to c'auseit'tok oseillate the shaft 39 before atl'ectingarotative movement ofthe tyingI bill." This movement is 0f sutiicient extent to, permitv the fork army tooperate vthe cam rotationpof ythe bill .commences` Through the `arms 40p-+41 andthe 'links L12-43, the

rocking members arci-rocked and that porf tion of the outerastrand srbetween the platesv n"10. and 114,y islifted above and moved to the innersideofthe strand .52, thus crossing the strands on eaclisideoffthe tying bill.

i' l a loop through which the othei` strand passes.

Further movement vof the lever 38 will -ro tate thetyiiig bill, and `the bill will engage Y thecrossedportions ofk the strands .s2-and s2 Thiscrossed, portion 1f/ of the strands, will beJ carried downwardly and toward the plate infront of the bill, indicated at ai.

1Q, the .operation so far as described, form-v ing in oneS strand, s2 inthe present instance,

` During this rotativek movement of the bill,

`theclamping and shearing jai'vA 27 is operated to the open position of Fig. v4, and

fas the bill completes the movement of 180.,-

the inner strands2 engages between the jaw and tlie'bill and is carried upwardlyby the .,billql Further movement of the bill causes the jaw to be returned into position between the bill and the spring, clipping or shearing the strand s?, and simultaneously .clamping the end thereof between the rjaw and the Clamping b-iii. Areas time the' bniis at the end of its 360 movement. f

toy

The helical portion of the bill is so proportioned, that the final movement 4ofthe lever 38 does not aiiect the bill, this movement affecting solely. the cam arm 49 and causing it to swing the arm 50. The first movement of the arm upwardly brings the blade 51 into Contact with the strand s2 between the bill and the plate l0, and' this end of the strand is severed. Continued movement of the arm causes the free y.army ofthe stirrup to engage the connected ends of the strands between the bill and the plate l1,- and the knot is rst stripped from the bill andy afterwards strained to Ytighten it. The free arm of the stirrnp, above inentioned, has a lug 56 to-prevent disngagej ment of the strands from the stirrup.

The rocking movement of the rocking members not only positions that `portion of theouter strand between the plates l() kand 1l at the inner side ofthe inner strand, but at the same time clamps the strands on each plate l0 and l1. The clamping action,y however, is not suiiicient to prevent movement of the strands with respect `to the plates, being merely, vsufficient to tension the strands as they are drawn past the guides .andy hold-y ers A and B, by the movement of the bill. i

It will be evident from' the description that the entire operation of connecting the strands by a Weaversy knot is performed me-y chanically. The strands to be connected are merely laid across the notched end of. the frame, and fall naturally@ into the seatsprovided for them. A movement of the thumb piece in one direction'ties the knot, strains it tight, and strips it from the billv and from the knotter. The rocking members cross the strands and in their movement ofl crossing, and after the crossing of the strands. exert just enough tensionon the strandsI to insure.

the proper'knotting. Thev three mechanisms ivhich perform the'tliree steps of the coinpleteoperation, that is the crossing of the strands, the 4formation of the knot, and the stripping of the knotted Strands, are controlled by .the `samey operating'mechanisnn the lever 38, and operate in proper sequence. T he several steps in 'the formation of the knot are as shown in `Figs/ to 10, inclusive.-

s is being looped aboutthe strand 82, ,andV

the operation will be complete and thearms of the loop will be crossed Whenthe knot is withdrawn from the bill by -the stripper. It

will be noted from inspection of Figs. 9 and 1Q that the knot is formed looping one strand about the other, with the arms of the loop crossed.

iVhile the invention is shown in 'a preferred form, it will bea apparent that `changes and modifications may be made-in the structure disclosed, wi hout. de arting from the spirit of the inviation as elined in' the appended claims.

`the bill, and means operate What I' claim `is i 1.` In a device of the class descr1bed,means to form a weavers -knot from two strands to connect lth same, including a tyin(1r bill,

means to support the lstrands alongsidbeeacn other in spaced relationon pposite sides of b the bill to crossthe strands ahead of they ill, the said means including .rocking members,- to sup- .port one strand, and mounted to swing with the strandfacross the other strand.

2;?In a device ofthe class describen, the combination with artying b1ll,'fof means `to su 'port a pair of strands alongside each .ot er. and at voppositesides of the-bill, means to cross 'the strands ahead 'of the bill, said bill cutting-- one'ot' the strands, andA a com- ,mon means to '.'cut the otherland to .strip the strands from *the bill. I 35A-:device of A heclass described, comprising@ tying-bill, means'to grasp andhold avpairfof *strandsalon'gside cach other` in -s aced relation;and o opposite sides'of the bill, means tocross the'strands ahead of the Abill andmeans for controlling the crossing f the strands inv timed relation with the operation 'of the bill, theA cress'ing` meansincluding rockingmembers havingv holders for the' strands.,

4..In a-.device-of the class described,vthe conbinatio'nkwith Ia tying bill having cutting mechanism forone strand, a stripper, and a cutter for the other strand carried by the stripper. `5. In, a device of the class described, the

Y Ycombination with a, tying .billihavingjcuttingvmechanism for one strand,

mounted' to. move past the bill-to strip the mechanism forone strand, a stripper, Vand' a cutter for-the other strand.carriedbythe stripper, and a common operating means for` the bill and the stripper. 6.- In a device of the class described, the combination with a tying bill'having cutting astripper knotted strands therefrom, and a cutting 4bladeon the stripper to cut the other strand. 7. In a device of the class described, thecombination with a tying bill having cutting mechanlsm for one strand, a stripper mounted to move past the bill to strip the-- knotted strandsptherefrom, a cutting blade on the stripper to cut-the othrstrand, and a common operating means for the bill andstripper. p

8. In a device ot' the class described, the

A combination with a tying bill havingrcutting mechanism for oner strand, a stripper mounted to move past the bill to strip the knotted strands therefrom,` and a, cutting blade on the stripper to cut the other strand, said blade engaging the strand with a shearing cut, and means to change the angle of the cutting edge of the blade.

9. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a tying bill, of holders for supporting a pair of strands on opposite Asides of the bill, said bill between the holders, and rocking members adjacent to the holdersto engage a portion of one strand and moye it across the other, thereby to' provide points of crossing of the strands at opposite' sides of the.bill.. v

1U. In a device 'of the classdescribed, the

supporting a pair ogf strands. on opposite sides of the bill, said billbetween the holders, and rocking members-adjacent to thel holders to engage a portion of one strandand move it across the otlier,`thereby to propoints of crossing ofthe' strands at opposlte sides of the bill, said members havingfmeans to tension the strands.'

" 11. Ina device of the class described, the combination ith a tying bill, ofv holders Vfor 'supportin a pair of strands on opposite sides of the bill, said bill between the holders, rocking members adjacent to the holders to engage a portion of onev strand and move.

it across the other, thereby to provide points of crossingof the strands at opposite'sides y.of thebll, said membershaving means to 'combination with a tying bill` of holders to support vafvpair of strands to be knotted valongside eachl'other lon opposite sides of the bill., vand means to engage the portion of one strand between the holders and move it across the other strand, said means cooperating wth the holders during and after l the moving of the strand-to tension both strands during theknotting operation. the moving meansfor the strand comprising mcking"membersl mounted adjacent to the holders andoperating in sequence with the 14. In a device or me class described, the

combinationwith altyng bill, of means to support a pair of strands un opposite sides ,of the bill, means to engage one strand at 'opposite sidesofythe bill and move the enill, and means tovehgage the portion combinationwith a tying bill, of holders for y gaged portion of the strand across the other strand, mechanism to strain the knot and strip it from the bill, and a common means for the strand moving means, the bill and the stripping mechanism to operate them in sequence, the strand moving means comprising rocking members to engage the one strand and cooperating with the strand supporting means to tension the strands during the knotting thereof. v

l5. In a device of the class described, the combination' with a tying bill, of means to support a pair of strands on opposite sides of the bill, means to engage one strand at opposite sides of the bill and move the engaged portion of the strand across the means for the strand moving means, the bill and the stripping mechanism to operate themv in sequence, the stripping mechanism comprising an' arm mounted to move across the supported strands and having means to engage one of the strands, the tying bill having Signed at Durham in the county of Durham and State of North Carolina this 10th y day of May A. 11,1924.

' vBnrrron E. 'BYnn 

